A skilful left sided midfielder,he never fulfilled his potential in England and moved on to play professionally in the Singapore S. League with former Scunthorpe team-mate Stuart Young for four years and was voted the Straits Times S League player of the year in 1997.

No charges were brought against Nicholson, it was actually found he played in the game where it was alleged he was to be paid not to play in.

Nicholson teamed up with Young for a third time in the National Soccer league of Australia, both playing for Wollongong Wolves, winning the championship in his first season. He was used mainly as a sub as it was difficult to dislodge Australian international Scott Chipperfield, but achieved something of a cult status amongst Wolves fans.

After his professional football career ended, Nicholson started his own Gymnasium, in Brough, East Yorkshire. At the same time he moved into the Motor Industry in 2005 with Motor Depot, then onto Best Car Buyer before eventually becoming a director of Car Arena.